Man surrenders in suspected attack on Sonoma Valley dog walker

September 25, 2013, 12:44AM

09/25/2013

A man wanted in connection with a suspected attack on a woman walking her dog on Sonoma Developmental Center property on Sunday turned himself in to authorities Tuesday evening.

Paul Mott, 53, of Kenwood was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of robbery, battery and cruelty to an animal. His bail was set at $50,000.

Sgt. Dave Thompson said Mott turned himself in at the main office about 7:30 p.m. after calling detectives.

"He'd read or heard the media accounts on the case and agreed to come in and give a statement, after which he was arrested," Thompson said via email.

The alleged victim, a 60-year-old woman, reported being assaulted about 8:50 a.m. Sunday at Sonoma Valley Regional Park near Glen Ellen after her dog got into a fight with a man's dog and the man became enraged.

The woman told deputies that the man wrapped a leash around her neck, ripped off her glasses and threw her cellphone into a lake after she threatened to take a photo of him. She said he kicked her dog several times before running toward Arnold Drive.

The assault was reported after the victim flagged down another hiker, who went for help. The woman suffered minor injuries to one of her hands as the phone was snatched, Thompson said.

Deputies put out a description of the man and his clothing. On Monday, Thompson said deputies were following several promising leads, and that a violent crimes detective had been assigned to the case because of the circumstances.